Can I go to any doctor with L.A. Care?

Asked by: Carlos Roob  |  Last update: June 28, 2025
Score: 4.1/5 (6 votes)

The doctor you choose must be an in-network provider. To get a copy of the L.A. Care Provider Directory, download it from the Medi-Cal Member Materials page or call Member Services at 1-888-839-9909 (TTY: 711) to have one sent to you.

Can you go to any doctor if you have Medi-Cal?

Once you are enrolled in a Medi-Cal health plan, you need to choose a primary care doctor who works with your Medi-Cal health plan. You can ask your current doctor if they work with a Medi-Cal health plan in your county.

Can you go to any hospital with L.A. Care?

For emergency care, you do not need pre-approval (prior authorization) from L.A. Care. Inside the United States, including any U.S. Territories, you have the right to use any hospital or other setting for emergency care.

What network is L.A. Care covered?

The Medi-Cal provider network is the group of doctors, hospitals and other providers that work with L.A. Care to provide Medi-Cal covered services to Medi-Cal members. L.A. Care is a managed care health plan. You must get most of your covered services through L.A. Care in-network providers.

What kind of insurance is L.A. Care?

L.A. Care offers a Medi-Cal plan built with our community in mind. Medi-Cal is a public health care program for those with limited income. This free or low-cost public health insurance program pays for medical services for eligible California residents.

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20 related questions found

Is L.A. Care only for low income?

The Local Initiative Health Authority for Los Angeles County (L.A. Care) is a public agency that provides health insurance for low-income individuals in Los Angeles County through four health coverage programs including Medi-Cal.

Why is L.A. insurance so expensive?

There are many reasons why car insurance in Los Angeles is expensive, including the high number of cars on the road, population density and car accident and theft rates. Minimum-coverage car insurance in LA costs 49% more than the California average and 33% more than the national average.

Is L.A. Care a good plan?

L.A. Care Health Plan is the highest-rated Medi-Cal managed care plan in Los Angeles County, as shown by the National Committee for Quality Assurance's (NCQA) Medicaid Health Insurance Plan Ratings 2019–2020.

What is the difference between Medi-Cal and L.A. Care?

L.A. Care is the health plan for Medi-Cal members in Los Angeles County. The California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) works with L.A. Care to provide your Medi-Cal health care.

Does L.A. Care have a copay?

Aside from the monthly premium, you may be responsible for paying a charge when you receive a covered service. This charge is called a copayment and is outlined in the Summary of Benefits. If you review your Summary of Benefits, you'll see that the amount of the copayment depends on the service you receive.

Does L.A. Care cover over the counter?

L.A. Care Medicare Plus members have a $150 quarterly (every 3 months) allowance to buy over-the-counter (OTC) health items. Choose from thousands of approved products with your Healthy Benefits Plus card. Below are some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to help you.

Is Blue Cross part of L.A. Care?

Medi-Cal Managed Care (Medi-Cal)

are independent licensees of the Blue Cross Association. Anthem is a registered trademark of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. Blue Cross of California is contracted with L.A. Care Health Plan to provide Medi-Cal Managed Care services in Los Angeles County.

Does L.A. Care cover ER visits?

Emergency care is covered at all times and in all places. If you're not sure if you should visit the Emergency Room and need advice, you can: Call the Nurse Advice Line 1-800-249-3619 (TTY 711) Call Member Services at 1-888-839-9909 (TTY 711)

Why do some doctors not accept Medi-Cal?

Why doctors say they don't see Medi-Cal patients. While low reimbursement rates are the most common reason California doctors say they limit the number of Medi-Cal patients they see, the program's administrative burden is also daunting. Source: California Health Care Foundation.

Is Kaiser part of L.A. Care?

In addition to offering a direct Medi-Cal line of business, L.A. Care contracts with three Plan Partners to provide coverage to Medi-Cal members. These Partners are Anthem Blue Cross, Care 1st Health Plan, and Kaiser Permanente.

Can I go to the doctor and not use my insurance?

You may choose not to use insurance if the service you need isn't covered, or it's less expensive if you pay out of pocket. In most cases, providers and facilities must give you an estimate when you schedule care at least 3 business days in advance, or if you ask for one.

What type of plan is L.A. Care?

L.A. Care is a health plan for people who have Medi-Cal in Los Angeles County. L.A. Care works with the State of California to help you get the health care you need.

Is L.A. Care for low-income?

L.A. Care Health Plan is the nation's largest publicly operated health plan serving. Its mission is to provide access to quality health care for Los Angeles County's vulnerable and low-income residents and to support the safety net required to achieve that purpose.

How do I switch from L.A. Care to Medi-Cal?

You can leave L.A. Care and join another health plan in your county of residence at any time. To choose a new plan, call Health Care Options at 1-800-430-4263 (TTY: 1-800-430-7077 or 711). You can call between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

What is the best Medi-Cal health plan?

OAKLAND, Calif., Jan. 19, 2023 – Kaiser Permanente Northern California's Medi-Cal health plan is the highest rated in the state for quality care, according to a December 2022 report from the state's Department of Health Care Services (DHCS).

How does L.A. Care work?

L.A. Care is a managed care health plan contracted with DHCS. L.A. Care works with doctors, hospitals, and other health care providers in the L.A. Care service area to give health care to our members. As a member of L.A. Care, you may qualify for some services provided through FFS Medi-Cal.

What is the most expensive health care plan?

Platinum health insurance is the most expensive type of health care coverage you can purchase. You pay low out-of-pocket expenses for appointments and services, but high monthly premiums. Plans typically feature a small deductible or no deductible and cheap copays or coinsurance.

What is the cheapest insurance in California?

Geico offers the cheapest minimum coverage in California, with an average rate of $243 per year according to NerdWallet's January 2025 analysis.

Why is insurance so high in California now?

There are plenty of reasons why this happens – more claims, inflation, higher repair costs – but in 2025, Californians saw an even larger increase than normal. That's because the state legislature raised the required minimum liability limits, and these new limits took effect Jan. 1.